Cap'n Magic Has Left the Building

Be afraid. Be very afraid. The one on the left is gone, but the idiot on the right is still at large.

Yes, the rumors are true.

One half of the legendary Rock Band combo Cap'n Magic and White Lightnin' (see above photo) has taken his final time out and headed back to Alabama.

I met the Cap'n almost 5 years ago in Kentucky when we were both at the same writing conference. He kept bugging me about the beauty of Western North Carolina and I kept brushing him off cause I was trying to flirt with three girls from Reuters.

Little did I know he had a hotel room right beside theirs and could have helped me get their digits. Such is life.

About six months later, he applied for a job at the same place I worked and we became quick friends.

The Cap'n and I had many adventures over the years. One of my favorites involved an ice storm, roadblocks and the greatest hits of Bob Segar and the Silver Bullet Band. Others include trying to get with various girls from the TV box (Hello, Jen-X), threatening a gaggle of 12-year olds during an infamous Lazer Tag outing (where the above photo was taken), a 9-hour Rock Band marathon and even sometimes being rewarded by our peers for contributions to the local journalism landscape.

I'm glad Magic was successful in finally pulling off his disappearing act. He helped me make a graceful exit from our former employer several months ago (before I tried to go legit with a white collar career) and I wish him all the best.

Still, I need someone living in the 828 area code who can wail on the Rock Band wireless controller. I'm okay on the drums, but this Don Henley is definitely seeking a Joe Walsh.

Farewell, Cap'n Magic. You are already missed.

Take that to mean what you want, it probably does.

=WL=